Údarás Um Shábháilteacht Ar BhóithreRoad Safety Authority
SAfety At LeveL CRoSSingS
At railway crossings, careless use costs lives! Always approach railway level crossings with care.Slow down and prepare to stop. obey signs and road markings. never stop on the railway tracks. At Unattended level crossings – be wary! · Stop, look, listen and give way to trains.· open all gates before driving across.· Shut and fasten the gates after you – it’s the law and
you could save a life! from the Road Safety Authority and iarnród Éireann irish Rail. visit rsa.ie for more information.
Railway level crossings
Introduction
A railway level crossing is an intersection where a road or passage crosses arailway track.
Drivers and other users should be aware of the different types of crossing andshould know how to cross safely. You must always approach a level crossingwith care.
This booklet outlines the different types of level crossings and the correct andsafe way to use them.
As you approach any railway level crossing you must obey the signs and roadwaymarkings, slow down and be prepared to stop.
You must not enter a yellow box area unless you can clear it without stopping.You must never stop on the railway tracks.
At unattended level crossings:
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REMEMBER
Never stop a vehicle on the railway tracks.
Use the Rail Cross Code each time you cross:
Always expect a train
Stop, Look and Listen
• Stop – two metres back clear of the railway line
• Look – right and left, watching for the lights of approaching trains
• Listen – for a train horn or whistle
Give Way to Trains
Let any approaching train pass, then look right and left again
When the Railway is clear, cross quickly
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Emergency actions at level crossings
If your vehicle stalls or an animal strays on the railway:
move everyone well clear of the railway
leave the animal or vehicle where it is
tell the railway controller, using the phone number displayed at thecrossing
state the ‘crossing number’ shown at the crossing
Unusual movements across level crossings
Drivers of very high vehicles should note that at level crossings with overheadelectrified lines, such as on the DART network, the safe head-room is 5 metres(16ft 4ins).
You should contact the railway in advance, using the phone number displayed atthe level crossing, when arranging special events such as matches, funerals orprocessions that will involve the use of the level crossing.
In addition, at level crossings with iron gates or automatic half-barriers, or onminor roads where protection is by traffic lights only, you should contact therailway, using the phone number displayed at the level crossing, to seekpermission before crossing with:
awkward vehicles – for example, long, low, wide, heavy or slow, vehicles
vehicles carrying dangerous goods or exceptional loads
crowds of people or herds of animals
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Example ‘crossing number’ plate shown at a level crossing
Thisidentificationnumber isdifferent foreach levelcrossing
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General instructions for the safe use of different types of levelcrossing
1. Unattended railway level crossings with iron gates
These unattended level crossings are found on minor roads. The railway isnormally guarded by iron gates which must be kept shut – there is no otherprotection. The user has the responsibility to open and shut the gates.
These crossings can be dangerous to use and drivers should use all availablehelp to cross safely. It is preferable for drivers to use a bridge or an attended orautomated level crossing where one is available.
Drivers – what you should do
Prepare
STOP clear of the gates
Switch off phone and music systems
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Údarás Um Shábháilteacht Ar BhóithreRoad Safety Authority
Level crossing ahead,guarded by gates or
lifting barrier
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Open windows on driver and passenger sides
Read instructions at the crossing
Get a helper to operate the gates if possible
Drive across safely
First walk across and open both gates
Drive forward and STOP two metres clear of the railway line
Apply your handbrake
Look right and left and listen
Drive across quickly when the railway is clear
Stop well clear of the tracks on the opposite side
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Use the Rail Cross Code each time you cross:
Always expect a train
Stop, Look and Listen
• Stop – two metres back clear of the railway line
• Look – right and left, watching for the lights of approaching trains
• Listen – for a train horn or whistle
Give Way to Trains
Let any approaching train pass, then look right and left again
When the Railway is clear, cross quickly
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Drivers – what you must do
Shut gates at unattended level crossings
You must shut and fasten the gates as soon as you and any person,animal or vehicle under your care has passed through
Even if the gates are open when you arrive, you must shut and fastenthem after you to protect others
Failure to shut and fasten the gates is an offence
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REMEMBER
Stay Alert...
STOP, LOOK and LISTEN
Give way to trains
Always shut and fasten the iron gates
Failure to do so is an offence.
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2. Attended railway level crossings with gates or barriers operated byrailway staff
These level crossings are manually operated by railway staff. The level crossingis only open to the public when the gates are fully open to the road.
Drivers – what you must do
Slow down approaching the crossing
Be prepared to stop if necessary
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Údarás Um Shábháilteacht Ar BhóithreRoad Safety Authority
Level crossing ahead,guarded by gates or
lifting barrier
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3. Automated railway level crossings protected by road traffic lights only
These level crossings have no barriers or gates. Users must obey the road trafficlights at these open level crossings.
Drivers – what you must do
Obey the rules for traffic lights
If you have already entered the crossing move clear as quickly as possible
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Level crossing ahead,unguarded by gatesor lifting barrier
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4. Automated railway level crossings with barriers and flashing redlights
These level crossings have barriers which automatically descend when a train isapproaching. The amber light is the same as an amber traffic light – stop safelywhen the amber light shows. Flashing red lights have the same meaning as asteady red traffic light – stop safely when they show.
Drivers – what you must do
Obey the rules for traffic lights
If you have already entered the crossing move clear as quickly as possible
Wait for all lights to extinguish and barriers to be raised before movingon
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Level crossing ahead with lightsand barriers. Crossing may alsohave warning audible alarms.
REMEMBER
A flashing red light always means stop
You should never zigzag around the barriers of a level crossing
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Pedestrians crossing the railway
Pedestrians – what you should do
Prepare
Switch off phones and music systems
Read any instructions at the crossing
Contact the railway in advance, using the phone number displayed at thelevel crossing:
• when arranging special events such as matches, funerals orprocessions that will involve the use of the level crossing
• to seek permission before crossing the railway with crowds of peopleor herds of animals at a level crossing with iron gates or automatichalf-barriers, or on minor roads where protection is by traffic lightsonly
Take extra care with a wheelchair, pram or buggy
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Beware
Never trespass onto a railway line
Always expect a train
Supervise children near the railway
Keep dogs on a lead
Only cross at a designated level crossing
Obey traffic lights, where provided
If crossing with a pram, wheelchair or bicycle, you should cross the trackscarefully to avoid getting the wheels caught in the groove
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Údarás Um Shábháilteacht Ar BhóithreRoad Safety Authority
REMEMBER
STOP, LOOK and LISTEN
Give way to trains
Never trespass onto the railway
Use the Rail Cross Code each time you cross:
Always expect a train
Stop, Look and Listen
• Stop – two metres back clear of the railway line
• Look – right and left, watching for the lights of approaching trains
• Listen – for a train horn or whistle
Give Way to Trains
Let any approaching train pass, then look right and left again
When the Railway is clear, cross quickly
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Pedestrians – what you must do
Shut gates at unattended level crossings
You must shut and fasten the gates as soon as you and any person,animal or vehicle under your care has passed through
Even if the gates are open when you arrive, you must shut and fastenthem after you to protect others
Failure to shut and fasten the gates is an offence
Emergency actions at level crossings
If an animal strays onto the railway, or if a pram, wheelchair or bicycle getsstuck on the tracsks:
move everyone well clear of the railway
leave the animal or vehicle where it is
tell the railway controller, using the phone number displayed at thecrossing
state the ‘crossing number’ shown at the crossing
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Údarás Um Shábháilteacht Ar BhóithreRoad Safety Authority
REMEMBER
Always shut and fasten the iron gates
Failure to do so is an offence.
Example ‘Crossing number’ plate displayed at a level crossing
Thisidentificationnumber isdifferent foreach levelcrossing
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Cyclists and horse riders crossing the railway
As you approach a level crossing, you must obey the signs, slow downand be prepared to stop
You must obey the Rules of the Road
follow the relevant instructions and emergency actions applying topedestrians at railway level crossings
Cyclists – cross at right angles to the tracks or else dismount to avoidgetting the wheels caught in the groove
Cyclists and horse riders – dismount and walk across the railway line atiron-gated level crossings and at passages
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Údarás Um Shábháilteacht Ar BhóithreRoad Safety Authority
Páirc ghnó ghleann na Muaidhe, Cnoc an tSabhaircín, Bóthar Bhaile Átha Cliath, Béal an Átha, Co. Mhaigh eo
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locall: 1890 50 60 80 fax: (096) 25252 email: [email protected] website: www.rsa.ie
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